J Harrison B Band to give free concert in park Aug. 5

The J Harrison B Band -- a five-piece band based in Fond du Lac, will give a free concert at Buttermilk Creek Park at the Music Under the Stars concert series Monday, Aug. 5 from 7-8:30p.m.

The band plays 1950-60s, blues and classic rock (1970-80s) and is the Wisconsin version of J Harrison B & The Bumbles - a teen band formed in Fremont, Nebraska in 1962 by Stan Johnson who was a high school senior then. In 1975, Johnson moved to Wisconsin to teach band in North Fond du Lac and started the Fond du Lac area version of the J Harrison B Band, which has been performing ever since. Johnson has since moved out of state and has formed versions of the band wherever he has relocated, including other countries.

Mike Bonzelet, an original member of the Fond du Lac-based J Harrison B Band, is the current band leader. He plays rhythm guitar and keyboards. Others in the band include: Ken Zanto on lead guitar; Jeff Mallmann of Plymouth on bass guitar; Jay Buhrow of Ripon who plays horns and keyboards; and Paul Levandowski on drums. All perform as vocalists except for Levandowski. The band performs at public and private events throughout Wisconsin.

While in Wisconsin, Johnson recorded and released an LP by J. Harrison B. called You Can't Get There From Here. He played most of the instruments heard on the album. The Fond du Lac version of the band also released several singles over the years including a local favorite known as Walleye Weekend.

Members of the Fond du Lac version of the J. Harrison B. Band traveled to Nebraska earlier this summer for the 51st anniversary of the band's origination. The Fond du Lac band joined ranks with other versions of the same band from different states. "We had a jam session with all the rest of them. It was a great reunion weekend," said Fond du Lac band member Paul Levandowski.

This is the eighth band to perform in the 10-week summer concert series, Monday Music Under the Stars. The free concerts take place every Monday night through Aug. 19 in Buttermilk Creek Park.

Food can be purchased prior to and during the concert, starting at 6:30. Brats, burgers, hotdogs, popcorn, root beer floats and more are available.

Attendees need to bring their own chairs. In case of rain, the concert will take place the next night in the same location.

For information on this or other upcoming Monday night concerts, call the event organizers 921-1167.

To learn more about the various bands at Music Under the Stars, go to www.fdlmusicians.com

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J Harrison B Band to give free concert in park Aug. 5

The J Harrison B Band -- a five-piece band based in Fond du Lac, will give a free concert at Buttermilk Creek Park at the Music Under the Stars concert series Monday, Aug. 5 from 7-8:30p.m.

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